I am in the midst of building a longer Ski Pole and need someones help FAST. I wanted to have this complete today for some wakeboarding tomorrow. I do have another option....but want it to be a last resort.

I need someone to take their Ski Pole out of the boat and explain to me the following;

1) Can you tighten with the Head piece and get the rubber piece to compress while the out of the boat without holding anything other than the pole itself?

2) Whether yes or no to the above, does the Hexagon head on the very bottom of the assembly turn at any point during you trying to tighten the Head?

3) I beileve this rubber piece compresses when the head is turned/tightened and the large "washer" type things on the bottom (each side of the rubber stopper) act as a sandwich as the top washer is drawn up against the bottom of the pole?

Can someone confirm this for me? PLEASE? I will pay you back...somehow!